Suspension system

ABSTRACT

A suspension system having a knuckle carrier. A pivot mechanism may pivotally couple a control arm to the knuckle carrier. The pivot mechanism may include a preload nut that may exert a preload force on a bearing assembly. A platform may be fixedly disposed on the knuckle carrier. The platform may support an air spring and may have an arm that is coupled to a stabilizer bar subassembly.

TECHNICAL HELD

This disclosure relates to a suspension system for a vehicle, such as atruck.

A suspension system is disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No.2017/0320522.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment a suspension system is provided. Thesuspension system may include a knuckle carrier, a control arm, and apivot mechanism. The knuckle carrier may define a hole. The pivotmechanism may be disposed in the hole and may pivotally couple thecontrol arm to the knuckle carrier. The pivot mechanism may include apin, at least one bearing assembly, and a preload nut. The pin may havea shoulder and a threaded portion. The first bearing assembly mayreceive the pin and may engage the shoulder. The preload nut may have athreaded region that mates with the threaded portion. Tightening thepreload nut may exert a preload force on the first bearing assembly.

In at least one embodiment a suspension system is provided. Thesuspension system may include a knuckle carrier, a steering knuckle, anupper control arm, and a platform. The knuckle carrier may define amounting stem. The steering knuckle may be pivotally mounted to theknuckle carrier. The upper control arm may be pivotally mounted to theknuckle carrier along a first upper control arm pivot axis. The platformmay be fixedly disposed on the mounting stem and may be located abovethe upper control arm. The platform may support an air spring and mayhave an arm that is coupled to a stabilizer bar subassembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of the suspension system.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the suspension system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the suspension system.

FIG. 5 is a section view along section line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is top view of a portion of the suspension system.

FIG. 7 is a rear side view of a knuckle carrier that may be providedwith the suspension system.

FIG. 8 is an inboard side view of the knuckle carrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as arepresentative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, portion of a vehicle 10 is shown. The vehicle 10may be a motor vehicle like a truck, bus, farm equipment, militarytransport or weaponry vehicle, or cargo loading equipment for land, air,or marine vessels. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle 10 mayinclude a frame 20, a suspension system 22, a wheel end assembly 24, abrake subsystem 26, a steering subsystem 28, and a stabilizer barsubassembly 30.

The frame 20 may help provide the structure of the vehicle 10. The frame20 is shown in phantom in FIG. 1 and is omitted in FIGS. 2 and 3 forclarity. In at least one configuration, the frame 20 may includestructural members such as frame rails, cross rails that interconnectthe frame rails, a subframe, or the like. The frame rails may extendlongitudinally or in a direction that may extend between the front andrear of the vehicle 10. The cross rails may extend laterally between theframe rails and may be fixedly attached to the frame rails. The frame 20may support components of the vehicle 10. For example, the frame maysupport a vehicle drivetrain and optionally a cab or cabin of thevehicle 10 that may have a passenger compartment that may receive adriver. The frame 20 may also facilitate mounting of the suspensionsystem 22 to the vehicle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the suspension system 22 may connect one or morewheel end assemblies 24 to the frame 20. In addition, the suspensionsystem 22 may dampen vibrations associated with vehicle travel, providea desired level of ride quality, control vehicle ride height, orcombinations thereof. The suspension system 22 may be an independentsuspension system that may allow wheels to move up and downindependently with respect to each other or without influence fromanother wheel. FIGS. 1-3 show a portion of the suspension system 22 thatis associated with a single wheel; however, is it to be understood thatthe suspension system 22 may be associated with multiple wheels. Forinstance, the components of the suspension system 22 that are shown inFIGS. 1-3 may be provided with a wheel like a right front wheel of thevehicle 10 when viewed from a position in front of the vehicle. Thesecomponents may also be provided as a mirror image when provided with anopposing wheel like a left front wheel. It is also contemplated that thesuspension system 22 or components of the suspension system discussedbelow are not necessarily limited to use with front wheels of a vehicle.In at least one configuration, the suspension system 22 may include asteering knuckle 40, a brake spider 42, a knuckle carrier 44, an uppercontrol arm 46, a lower control arm 48, a platform 50, one or more airsprings 52, and one or more shock absorbers 54.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the steering knuckle 40 may interconnect thewheel end assembly 24 to the knuckle carrier 44. The steering knuckle 40may be rotatable about a first axis 60 with respect to the knucklecarrier 44, the upper control arm 46, and the lower control arm 48 tosteer or change the direction of travel of the vehicle 10. As an exampleand as is best shown in FIG. 4, the steering knuckle 40 may receive andmay rotate about a kingpin 62 that may extend along the first axis 60and may be fixedly disposed on the knuckle carrier 44. The steeringknuckle 40 may be operatively connected to the steering subsystem 28 aswill be discussed in more detail below.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 3 and 4, the steering knuckle 40 mayfacilitate mounting of the wheel end assembly 24 and the brake subsystem26. For example, the steering knuckle 40 may have a spindle 70 that mayrotatably support the wheel end assembly 24. The spindle 70 may supportone or more wheel bearings that rotatably support a hub of the wheel endassembly 24 and allow the hub and an associated wheel to rotate about asecond axis 72. In a drive axle configuration, an axle may extendthrough the spindle 70 and may provide torque to a corresponding hub andwheel. The steering knuckle 40 may also facilitate mounting of the brakespider 42.

The brake spider 42 may facilitate mounting of the brake subsystem 26 tothe steering knuckle 40. For example, a portion of the brake subsystem26, such as a brake caliper, may be fixedly mounted to the brake spider42. The brake spider 42 may be fixedly disposed on the steering knuckle40 in any suitable manner. For instance, the brake spider 42 may bemounted to the steering knuckle 40 with a plurality of fasteners, suchas bolts.

Referring to FIG. 3, the knuckle earlier 44 may interconnect thesteering knuckle 40 to the upper control arm 46 and the lower controlarm 48. As is best shown with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, in at leastone configuration the knuckle carrier 44 may include a first side 80, asecond side 82, an upper hole 84, a lower hole 86, a mounting stem 88, ashock absorber mount 90, a neck portion 92, and a connecting web 94.

The first side 80 may face toward the front of the vehicle 10. The firstside 80 may extend in a generally vertical direction.

The second side 82 may be disposed opposite the first side 80. As such,the second side 82 may face toward the rear of the vehicle 10. Thesecond side 82 may also extend in a generally vertical direction.

The upper hole 84 may extend between the first side 80 and the secondside 82. The upper hole 84 may facilitate mounting of the upper controlarm 46. For example, the upper hole 84 may be a through hole and mayreceive a pivot mechanism 100, which is shown in FIGS. 1-5, thatpivotally connects the upper control arm 46 to the knuckle carrier 44 aswill be discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view through the center of theupper hole 84 is shown. The upper hole 84 may be defined by multiplesurfaces or features of the knuckle carrier 44, such as an intermediateportion 110, a first bearing support surface 112, and a first stepsurface 114, The upper hole 84 may also be defined by a second bearingsupport surface 116, a second step surface 118, a first seal supportsurface 120, a first outer step surface 122, a second seal supportsurface 124, and/or a second outer step surface 126. Although thesesurfaces are shown with respect to the upper hole 84, it is contemplatedthat another hole may be provided with this configuration to accommodatethe pivot mechanism 100, such as the lower hole 86.

The intermediate portion 110 may be disposed proximate the center of theupper hole 84. The intermediate portion 110 may have a smaller diameterthan the first bearing support surface 112 and the second bearingsupport surface 116.

The first bearing support surface 112 may be axially positioned betweenthe first side 80 and the intermediate portion 110. For example, thefirst bearing support surface 112 may be axially positioned between thefirst step surface 114 and the first outer step surface 122. The firstbearing support surface 112 may have a larger diameter than theintermediate portion 110.

The first step surface 114 may extend from the intermediate portion 110to the first bearing support surface 112. For instance, the first stepsurface 114 may extend from a first end of the intermediate portion 110to an end of the first bearing support surface 112. The first stepsurface 114 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to a center axisof the upper hole 84. The center axis may be referred to as a firstupper control arm pivot axis 130 and may be an axis about which theknuckle carrier 44 may pivot with respect to the upper control arm 46.

The second bearing support surface 116 may be axially positioned betweenthe second side 82 and the intermediate portion 110. For example, thesecond bearing support surface 116 may be axially positioned between thesecond step surface 118 and the second outer step surface 126. Thesecond bearing support surface 116 may have a larger diameter than theintermediate portion 110. In addition, the second bearing supportsurface 116 may optionally have the same diameter as the first bearingsupport surface 112.

The second step surface 118 may extend from the intermediate portion 110to the second bearing support surface 116. For instance, the second stepsurface 118 may extend from a second end of the intermediate portion 110that may be disposed opposite the first bearing support surface 112 toan end of the second bearing support surface 116. The second stepsurface 118 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the firstupper control arm pivot axis 130.

The first seal support surface 120 may be axially positioned between thefirst side 80 and the first bearing support surface 112. For instance,the first seal. support surface 120 may be axially positioned betweenthe first side 80 and the first outer step surface 122. The first sealsupport surface 120 may have a larger diameter than the first bearingsupport surface 112.

The first outer step surface 122 may extend from the first bearingsupport surface 112 to the first seal support surface 120. For example,the first outer step surface 122 may extend from an end of the firstbearing support surface 112 that is disposed opposite the first stepsurface 114 to an end of the first seal support surface 120. The firstouter step surface 122 may be disposed substantially perpendicular tothe first upper control arm pivot axis 130.

The second seal. support surface 124 may be axially positioned betweenthe second side 82 and the second bearing support surface 116. Forinstance, the second seal support surface 124 may be axially positionedbetween the second side 82 and the second outer step surface 126. Thesecond seal support surface 124 may have a larger diameter than thefirst bearing support surface 112. In addition, the second seal supportsurface 124 may optionally have the same diameter as the first sealsupport surface 120.

The second outer step surface 126 may extend from the second bearingsupport surface 116 to the second seal support surface 124. For example,the second outer step surface 126 may extend from and end of the secondbearing support surface 116 that may be disposed opposite the secondstep surface 118 to an end of the second seal support surface 124. Thesecond outer step surface 126 may be disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the first upper control arm pivot axis 130.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower hole 86 of the knuckle carrier 44may extend between the first side 80 and the second side 82. Inaddition, the lower hole 86 may be disposed proximate the bottom of theknuckle carrier 44. As such, the lower hole 86 may be disposed below theupper hole 84, mounting stem 88, shock absorber mount 90, neck portion92, and the connecting web 94. The lower hole 86 may facilitate mountingof the lower control arm 48. For example, the lower hole 86 may be athrough hole that may receive a pivot mechanism that pivotally connectsthe lower control arm 48 to the knuckle carrier 44.

The mounting stem 88 may be located between the first side 80 and thesecond side 82. As is best shown in FIG. 8, the mounting stem 88 mayintersect or may be disposed along a center plane 140 of the knucklecarrier 44. The center plane 140 may be a vertical plane that maygenerally the knuckle carrier 44.

The shock absorber mount 90 may facilitate mounting of a shock absorber54 as will be discussed in more detail below. The shock absorber mount90 may be disposed below the upper hole 84 and above the lower hole 86.The shock absorber mount 90 may have a first mounting tab 150 and asecond mounting tab 152.

The first mounting tab 150 may extend from or protrude from the firstside 80 of the knuckle carrier 44. The first mounting tab 150 may bedisposed along a side of the knuckle carrier 44 that faces away from theneck portion 92. The first mounting tab 150 may include a hole that mayreceive a fastener, such as a bolt, that may facilitate mounting of theshock absorber 54 to the knuckle carrier 44. For example, a pivotmechanism may be mounted to the first mounting tab 150 and mayfacilitate pivotal movement of the shock absorber 54 with respect to theknuckle carrier 44.

The second mounting tab 152 may be disposed opposite the first mountingtab 150. As such, the second mounting tab 152 may extend from orprotrude from the second side 82 of the knuckle earlier 44. The secondmounting tab 152 may also be disposed along a side of the knucklecarrier 44 that faces away from the neck portion 92. The second mountingtab 152 may include a hole that may receive a fastener that mayfacilitate mounting of the shock absorber 54 to the knuckle carrier 44as previously discussed.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the neck portion 92 may facilitate mountingof the steering knuckle 40 to the knuckle carrier 44. The neck portion92 may be positioned below the upper hole 84 and above the lower hole86. In addition, the neck portion 92 may be positioned above the shockabsorber mount 90. The neck portion 92 may protrude from the knucklecarrier 44 toward the steering knuckle 40. The neck portion 92 mayinclude a kingpin bole 160 that may receive the kingpin 62. One or morefastener holes 162 may extend through the neck portion 92 and mayintersect the kingpin hole 160. A fastener hole may receive a fastener164, such as a draw key, that may inhibit movement of the kingpin 62along the first axis 60 with respect to the knuckle carrier 44.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the connecting web 94 may extend from theupper hole 84 to the shock absorber mount 90. As is best shown in FIG.8, the connecting web 94 may be asymmetrical and may be offset from thecenter plane 140 toward the first side 80 of the knuckle carrier 44. Assuch, the connecting web 94 may extend to the first mounting tab 150 topartially define the first side 80 and may not extend to the secondmounting tab 152. The connecting web 94 may partially define a clearancerecess 170. The clearance recess 170 may be disposed between theconnecting web 94 and the second side 82 of the knuckle carrier 44. Theclearance recess 170 may extend from the second side 82 toward the firstside 80 and may extend upward from the shock absorber mount 90 towardthe upper hole 84. The clearance recess 170 may extend upward toapproximately the top of the neck portion 92 and may provide clearancetier one or more components of the steering subsystem 28 when thesteering knuckle 40 is rotated about the first axis 60. Accordingly, theclearance recess 170 may help increase the total steering angle or rangeof rotation of the steering knuckle 40 about the first axis 60.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an example of a pivot mechanism 100 isshown. The pivot mechanism 100 may rotatably connect or pivotally couplea control arm to the knuckle carrier 44. The pivot mechanism 100 may beat least partially disposed in a hole in the knuckle carrier 44. Forexample, the pivot mechanism 100 will be primarily described below inthe context of being disposed in the upper hole 84 of the knucklecarrier 44 to facilitate rotation of the upper control arm 46 about thefirst upper control arm pivot axis 130; however, it is contemplated thatthe pivot mechanism 100 could be employed in different locations or withdifferent components. For instance, the pivot mechanism 100 may also beconfigured to couple the lower control arm 48 to a suitably configuredlower hole 86 or may be used to couple the upper control arm 46, lowercontrol arm 48, or both to the frame 20. In at least one configuration,the pivot mechanism 100 may include a pin 180, a first bearing assembly182, a second bearing, assembly 184, and a preload nut 186. In addition,the pivot mechanism 100 may also include at least one seal, such as afirst seal 188 and a second seal 190.

The pin 180 may be partially received in the upper hole 84. The pin 180may extend along a pin axis 200 that may be coaxially disposed with thefirst upper control arm pivot axis 130 after assembly. In at least oneconfiguration, the pin 180 may include a first end portion 202, a secondend portion 204, a shoulder 206, a center portion 208, arid a threadedportion 210.

The first end portion 202 may extend from a first end surface of the pin180. The first end portion 202 may be disposed outside of the upper hole84 and may include a first mounting hole 220. The first mounting hole220 may be a through hole that may be configured to receive a fastener222, such as a bolt, that may couple or mount the, pin 180 to a controlarm, such as the upper control arm 46.

The second end portion 204 may be disposed opposite the first endportion 202. The second end portion 204 may extend from a second endsurface of the pin 180 that may be disposed opposite the first endsurface. The second end portion 204 may be disposed outside of the upperhole 84 and may include a second mounting hole 224. The second mountinghole 224 may be a through hole that may be configured to receive afastener 222 that may couple or mount the pin 180 to the control arm.Accordingly, the pin 180 may not rotate with respect to the uppercontrol arm 46 and may rotate with the upper control arm 46 about thepin axis 200 with respect to the knuckle carrier 44.

The shoulder 206 may be axially positioned between the first end portion202 and the second end portion 204. For example, the shoulder 206 may beaxially positioned between the first end portion 202 and the centerportion 208. The shoulder 206 may be partially or completely received inthe upper hole 84. The shoulder 206 may extend further from the pin axis200 than the first end portion 202, second end portion 204, centerportion 208, threaded portion 210, or combinations thereof. The shoulder206 may have an outer shoulder surface 230 that may face away from thepin axis 200 and may extend around the pin axis 200. In at least oneconfiguration, the outer shoulder surface 230 may be in outsidecircumference of the shoulder 206 and may be disposed at a substantiallyconstant radial distance from the pin axis 200. The shoulder 206 mayalso have a shoulder side surface 232 that may extend from the outershoulder surface 230 to the center portion 208.

The center portion 208 may be axially positioned between the shoulder206 and the threaded portion 210. The center portion 208 may be receivedin the upper hole 84. The center portion 208 may have an outsidecircumferential surface that may face away from the pin axis 200 and mayextend from the shoulder 206 to or toward the threaded portion 210. Theoutside circumferential surface may support the first bearing assembly182 and the second bearing assembly 184 and may be disposed closer tothe pin axis 200 or have a smaller diameter than the outer shouldersurface 230.

The threaded portion 210 may be axially positioned between the centerportion 208 and the second end portion 204. As such, the shoulder 206,the center portion 208, and the threaded portion 210 may be axiallypositioned between the first mounting hole 220 and the second mountinghole 224. The threaded portion 210 may be disposed inside the upper hole84, outside the upper hole 84, or may be partially disposed in the upperhole 84. In at least one configuration, the threaded portion 210 may bedisposed closer to the pin axis 200 than the center portion 208 and maybe disposed further from the pin axis 200 than the second end portion204.

The first bearing assembly 182 may rotatably support the pin 180. Thefirst bearing assembly 182 may be disposed in the upper hole 84 and mayhave any suitable configuration. For example, the first bearing assembly182 may be configured as a roller bearing assembly that may include aplurality of rolling elements 240 that may be disposed between a firstinner race 242 and a first outer race 244.

The first inner race 242 may receive the pin 180. For example, the firstinner race 242 may extend around and may engage the center portion 208of the pin 180. In addition, the first inner race 242 engage or contactthe shoulder side surface 232 of the shoulder 206 of the pin 180. Assuch, the shoulder 206 may inhibit axial movement of the first innerrace 242 in a direction that extends away from the second bearingassembly 184 or to the left from the perspective shown in FIG. 5.

The first outer race 244 may extend around the rolling elements 240 andthe first inner race 242. The first outer race 244 may engage theknuckle carrier 44. For example, the first outer race 244 may bedisposed on the first bearing support surface 112 and may engage orcontact the first step surface 114 of the knuckle carrier 44. As such,the first step surface 114 may inhibit axial movement of the first outerrace 244 toward the second bearing assembly 184.

The second bearing assembly 184 may also rotatably support the pin 180.The second bearing assembly 184 may be disposed in the upper hole 84 andmay have any suitable configuration. For example, the second bearingassembly 184 may be configured as a roller bearing assembly that mayinclude a plurality of rolling elements 250 that may be disposed betweena second inner race 252 and a second outer race 254.

The second inner race 252 may receive the pin 180. For example, thesecond inner race 252 may extend around and may engage the centerportion 208 of the pin 180. In addition, the second inner race 252engage or contact the preload nut 186.

The second outer race 254 may extend around the rolling elements 250 andthe second inner race 252. The second outer race 254 may engage theknuckle carrier 44. For example, the second outer race 254 may bedisposed on the second bearing support surface 116 and may engage orcontact the second step surface 118 of the knuckle carrier 44. As such,the second step surface 118 may inhibit axial movement of the secondouter race 254 toward the first outer race 244 of the first bearingassembly 182. In addition, the intermediate portion 110 of the knucklecarrier 44 may extend from the first outer race 244 to the second outerrace 254 and may help separate the first bearing assembly 182 from thesecond bearing assembly 184.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the preload nut 186 may be configured toexert a preload force on the first bearing assembly 182, the secondbearing assembly 184, or both. The preload nut 186 may receive the pin180. In at least one configuration, the preload nut 186 may include afirst end surface 260, a second end surface 262, a hole 264, a threadedregion 266, an outer surface 268, and a flange 270.

The first end surface 260 may face toward the second bearing assembly184. For example, the first end surface 260 may engage the second innerrace 252 of the second bearing assembly 184. In at least oneconfiguration, first end surface 260 may be disposed in the upper hole84 and may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the pin axis 200.It is contemplated that if the second bearing assembly 184 was omitted,the first end surface 260 could engage a surface of the knuckle carrier44, such as the second step surface 118 and could then be tightened toprovide a preload force on the first bearing assembly 182.

The second end surface 262 may be disposed opposite the first endsurface 260. As such, the second end surface 262 may face away from thesecond bearing assembly 184. The second end surface 262 may be disposedsubstantially perpendicular to the pin axis 200. Optionally, the secondend surface 262 may be disposed outside the upper hole 84.

The hole 264, which is best shown in FIG. 4, may extend from the firstend surface 260 to the second end surface 262. The bole 264 may receivethe pin 180.

The threaded region 266, which is best shown in FIG. 5, may be disposedin the hole 264 and may extend between the first end surface 260 and thesecond end surface 262. The threaded region 266 may include one or morethreads that may mate with the threaded portion 210 of the pin 180.

The outer surface 268 may face away from the pin 180 and the hole 264.In addition, the outer surface 268 may be spaced apart from the knucklecarrier 44. The outer surface 268 may extend from the first end surface260 to the flange 270. In at least one configuration, the outer surface268 or a portion thereof may be an outside circumferential surface ofthe preload nut 186.

The flange 270 may be axially positioned between the outer surface 268and the second end surface 262. In addition, the flange 270 may hespaced apart from the knuckle carrier 44. In at least one configuration,the flange 270 may extend outward with respect to the outer surface 268or may extend further away from the pin axis 200 than the outer surface268. The flange 270 may include a plurality of flats or substantiallyplanar faces that may facilitate engagement with a tool, such as awrench. The flange 270 may be disposed partially or completely outsidethe upper hole 84.

Tightening the preload nut 186 may exert a preload force the firstbearing assembly 182 and the second bearing assembly 184. For instance,tightening the preload nut 186 may actuate the pin 180 in an axialdirection such that the shoulder 206 actuates the first inner race 242toward the second bearing assembly 184 or to the right from theperspective shown in FIG. 5. The first outer race 244 may be preventedfrom moving axially in the same direction by the intermediate portion110 of the knuckle carrier 44. As such, force may be exerted against therolling elements 240 of the first bearing assembly 182 to provide adesired preload force and to inhibit skidding that may reduce bearinglife. In addition, tightening the preload nut 186 may cause the preloadnut 186 to exert force against the second inner race 252 in an axialdirection that extends toward the first bearing assembly 182 or to theleft from the perspective shown in FIG. 5. The second outer race 254 maybe prevented from moving, axially in the same direction by theintermediate portion 110. As such, force may be exerted against therolling elements 250 of the second bearing assembly 184 to inhibitskidding and to provide a desired preload three.

The first seal 188 may inhibit contaminants from entering the end of theupper hole 84 that is disposed proximate the first bearing, assembly182. The first seal 188 may extend between the pin 180 and the knucklecarrier 44. In at least one configuration, the first seal 188 may extendfrom the first seal support surface 120 to the outer shoulder surface230 of the shoulder 206. As such, the first seal 188 may be at leastpartially disposed in the upper hole 84 and the shoulder 206 may bereceived in the first seal 188. In addition, the first seal 188 mayengage the first outer step surface 122 to inhibit axial movement of thefirst seal 188 toward the first bearing assembly 182. The first seal 188may be spaced apart from and may not engage the first bearing assembly182.

The second seal 190 may inhibit contaminants from entering the end ofthe upper hole 84 that is disposed proximate the second bearing assembly184. The second seal 190 may extend between the preload nut 186 and theknuckle carrier 44. In at least one configuration, the second seal 190may extend from the second seal support surface 124 to the outer surface268 of the preload nut 186. As such, the second seal 190 may be at leastpartially disposed in the upper hole 84 and the preload nut 186 may bereceived in the second seal 190. In addition, the second seal 190 mayengage the second outer step surface 126 to inhibit axial movement ofthe second seal 190 toward the second bearing assembly 184. The secondseal 190 may be spaced apart from and may not engage the second bearingassembly 184.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 6, the upper control arm 46 may extend from alateral side of the frame 20 to a corresponding knuckle carrier 44. Anupper control arm 46 may be pivotally or rotatably mounted to the frame20 along a second upper control arm axis 272 in a manner that allows thesteering knuckle 40, knuckle carrier 44, and a corresponding wheel endassembly 24 to move up and down while inhibiting forward and backwardmovement. For example, the upper control arm 46 may have a pair of armsthat may be pivotally coupled to the frame 20 with a pivot mechanism.The pivot mechanism may have any suitable configuration. For example,the pivot mechanism may be like the pivot mechanism 100 described aboveor may have a simplified design that may include a pivot pin about whichthe upper control arm 46 may rotate but may not be configured to adjusta bearing preload. The pivot pin may be fixedly coupled to the frame 20in any suitable manner, such as with one or more fasteners like bolts.As is best shown in FIG. 2, the arms of the upper control arm 46 mayalso cooperate to partially define an opening through which the shockabsorber 54 may extend.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the lower control arm 48 may be disposed belowthe upper control arm 46. A pair of lower control arms 48 may extendfrom opposing lateral sides of the frame 20 to a corresponding knucklecarrier 44. A lower control arm 48 may be pivotally or rotatably mountedto the frame 20 in a manner that allows the steering knuckle 40, knucklecarrier 44, and a corresponding wheel end assembly 24 to move up anddown while inhibiting forward and backward movement. For example, thelower control arm 48 may have a pair of arms that may be pivotallycoupled to the frame 20 with a pivot mechanism that may permit the lowercontrol arm 48 to rotate about an inboard lower control arm axis 274,which is best shown in FIG. 6. The pivot mechanism may have any suitableconfiguration as previously discussed.

As is best shown in FIG. 3, the lower control arm 48 may include acut-out 276 or recess that may provide clearance to the steeringsubsystem 28. The cut-out 276 may be configured as a recess orindentation in the upper side or upper surface of the lower control arm48 and may provide clearance to a tie rod when the lower control arm 48is pivoted upward about inboard lower control arm axis 274.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, the platform 50 may be fixedly disposed onthe knuckle carrier 44. For instance, the platform 50 may be fixedlydisposed on the mounting stem 88. In at least one configuration, theplatform 50 may be completely located above the knuckle carrier 44, theupper control arm 46, or both. In at least one configuration, theplatform 50 may have a disc portion 280 and an arm 282.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6, the disc portion 280 mayfacilitate mounting of the platform 50 to the knuckle carrier 44. Inaddition, the disc portion 280 may support and facilitate mounting ofthe air spring 52 to the platform 50. As is best shown in FIG. 6, thedisc portion 280 may be generally configured as a circular disk. Thedisc portion 280 may be mounted to the knuckle carrier 44 in anysuitable manner. For instance, the disc portion 280 may have a first setof holes 290 that may receive fasteners 292, such as screws, that maycouple the disc portion 280 to the knuckle carrier 44. In addition, thedisc portion 280 may have a second set of holes 294 that may receivefasteners 296, such as bolts, that may couple the air spring 52 to theplatform 50. The members of the second set of holes 294 may be disposedcloser to the outside perimeter or outside circumference of the discportion 280 than the first set of holes 290.

The arm 282 that may be coupled to the stabilizer bar subassembly 30. Asis best shown in FIG. 6, the arm 282 may extend along an arm axis 300.The arm axis 300 may be substantially parallel to the first uppercontrol arm pivot axis 130 and the second upper control arm axis 272. Inaddition, the arm 282 may extend toward the rear of the vehicle 10 ortoward the bottom of FIG. 6 from the perspective shown. As such, the arm282 may extend in a rearward longitudinal direction or a direction thatextends longitudinally between the front and the rear of the vehicle 10and toward the rear of the vehicle 10. In addition, the arm 282 may bedisposed further inboard or further away from the steering knuckle 40than the first set of holes 290 and may extend tangentially from aninboard side or edge of the disc portion 280.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the air spring 52 and the shock absorber 54 maybe provided to control and dampen movement of the suspension system 22.

The air spring 52 may be disposed on a top surface of the platform 50.As such, the air spring 52 may extend from the platform 50 upward to theframe 20. The air spring 52 may have any suitable configuration. Forinstance, the air spring 52 may have a mounting plate, flexible bellows,and a piston. The mounting plate may be disposed at the top of the airspring 52 and may be fixedly mounted to the frame 20, such as with oneor more fasteners. The flexible bellows may extend from the mountingplate to the piston. The flexible bellows may at least partially definea chamber within the air spring 52 that may receive the piston and aninflation gas. Inflation gas may be provided to the chamber or may bevented from the chamber to adjust the ride height and dampeningcharacteristics of the suspension system 22. The piston may be at leastpartially received in the flexible bellows and may fixedly mounted tothe platform 50.

The shock absorber 54, which may also be referred to as a strut, mayextend from the frame to the knuckle carrier 44. For example, the shockabsorber 54 may be pivotally mounted to the frame 20 at a first end andmay be pivotally mounted to the first and second mounting tabs 150, 152of the shock absorber mount 90 at a second end with fasteners 310 suchas bolts, Which are best shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the wheel end assembly 24 may facilitaterotation a wheel that may support a tire. The Wheel end assembly 24 maybe part of a drive axle or a non-drive axle. A drive axle may receivetorque from a power source, such as an internal combustion engine orelectric motor. In a drive axle configuration, a shaft may transmittorque to the wheel end assembly 24 to rotate a wheel that may bemounted on the wheel end assembly 24, For instance, the shaft may beoperatively connected at a first end to a vehicle drivetrain componentlike a differential, gearbox, or motor and may extend through thesteering knuckle 40 and may be coupled to the wheel end assembly 24 at asecond end. Such a shaft may be omitted in a non-drive axleconfiguration. In at least one configuration, the wheel end assembly 24may include a hub 320.

The hub 320 may be rotatably disposed on the spindle 70 of the steeringknuckle 40. For example, one or more wheel bearings may be disposed onthe spindle 70 and may rotatably support the hub 320. The hub 320 mayfacilitate mounting of the wheel, such as with a plurality of mountingstuds 322. As such, the hub 320 and the wheel may rotate together aboutthe second axis 72. A tire may be disposed on the wheel that may engagea road or support surface.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the brake subsystem 26 may facilitatebraking of the wheel to slow rotation of the hub 320 and an associatedwheel about the second axis 72 of the wheel end assembly 24. The brakesubsystem 26 may have any suitable configuration. For instance, thebrake subsystem 26 may be configured as a friction brake, such as a discbrake or a drum brake. In the configuration shown, the brake subsystem26 is configured as a disc brake.

Referring to FIG. 3, a portion of a steering subsystem 28 is shown. Thesteering subsystem 28 may steer or change the direction of travel of thevehicle. The steering subsystem 28 may include a linkage arrangementthat may include a steering arm 330 and a tie rod 332. The steering arm330 may be is fixedly mounted to the steering knuckle 40. The tie rod332 may be pivotally coupled to an end of the steering arm 330 and maybe operatively connected to a steering gear by one or more additionallinkages. The steering gear may actuate the linkage arrangement torotate the steering knuckle 40 about the first axis 60. The steeringgear may be disposed on the frame 20 or may be fixedly positioned withrespect to the frame 20.

The stabilizer bar subassembly 30 may help reduce body roll orside-to-side rolling of the vehicle 10, such as may occur duringcornering. The stabilizer bar subassembly 30 may operatively connectopposing knuckle carriers 44 of the vehicle 10. For example, thestabilizer bar subassembly 30 may be coupled to an arm 282 of theplatform 50 that is disposed on the left side of the vehicle 10 and to acorresponding arm 282 of a platform 50 is disposed on a right side ofthe vehicle 10. The stabilizer bar subassembly 30 may be disposed abovethe upper control arm 46 and the knuckle carrier 44. Moreover, thestabilizer bar subassembly 30 may be spaced apart from and may not becoupled to the upper control arm 46 or the lower control arm 48. In atleast one configuration, the stabilizer bar subassembly 30 may include apair of drop links 340, a pair of intermediate links 342, and astabilizer bar 344. One drop link 340 may extend from the arm 282 to afirst end au intermediate link 342. A second end of the intermediatelink 342 may be coupled to a first end of the stabilizer bar 344. Amirror image arrangement of the drop link and intermediate link may beprovided with an opposing wheel. For instance, another drop link 340 mayextend from the arm 282 of a platform 50 that is provided with anopposing wheel to a first end of another intermediate link 342, which inturn may extend to a second end of the stabilizer bar 344 that may bedisposed opposite the first end. The drop links 340 may extend in anupward direction that may extend away from the upper control arm 46. Theintermediate links 342 may extend substantially horizontally and in arearward direction. As such, the drop links 340 and intermediate links342 may help position the stabilizer bar 344 above the wheels andcontrol arms and may help provide ample ground clearance.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather,the words used in the specification are words of description rather thanlimitation, and it is understood that various changes may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may becombined to form further embodiments of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A suspension system comprising: a knuckle carrierthat has a hole; a control arm; and a pivot mechanism that is disposedin the hole and pivotally couples the control arm to the knucklecarrier, the pivot mechanism including: a pin having a shoulder and athreaded portion; a first bearing assembly that receives the pin andengages the shoulder; and a preload nut that has a threaded region thatmates with the threaded portion, wherein tightening the preload nutexerts a preload force on the first bearing assembly.
 2. The suspensionsystem of claim 1 wherein the control arm is an upper control arm. 3.The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the pin has a first mountinghole and a second mounting hole that each receive a fastener that mountsthe pin to the control arm, wherein the shoulder and the threadedportion are axially positioned between the first mounting hole and thesecond mounting hole.
 4. The suspension system of claim 1 wherein thefirst bearing assembly has a first inner race that engages the pin and afirst outer race that engages the knuckle carrier, wherein the shoulderengages the first inner race.
 5. The suspension system of claim 4further comprising a first seal that is disposed in the hole and thatextends from the shoulder to the knuckle carrier.
 6. The suspensionsystem of claim 5 wherein the pin is rotatable about a pin axis, theshoulder has an outer shoulder surface that faces away from the pinaxis, and the first seal extends from the outer shoulder surface to theknuckle carrier.
 7. The suspension system of claim 5 further comprisinga second bearing assembly that is disposed in the hole and receives thepin, wherein the preload nut engages the second bearing assembly.
 8. Thesuspension system of claim 7 wherein the second bearing, assembly has asecond inner race that engages the pin and a second outer race thatengages the knuckle carrier, wherein the preload nut engages the secondinner race.
 9. The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the knucklecarrier has an intermediate portion that is disposed in the hole andextends from the first hearing assembly to the second bearing assembly,wherein a first step surface extends from a first end of theintermediate portion to a first bearing support surface and a secondstep surface extends from a second end of the intermediate portion to asecond bearing support surface, wherein the first bearing supportsurface and the second bearing support surface have a larger diameterthan the intermediate portion, and the first outer race engages thefirst step surface and the second outer race engages the second stepsurface to inhibit axial movement of the first outer race toward thesecond outer race.
 10. The suspension system of claim 9 furthercomprising a second seal that is disposed in the hole and that extendsfrom the preload nut to the knuckle carrier.
 11. The suspension systemof claim 10 wherein the preload nut has an outer surface that faces awayfrom the pin and extends from an end of the preload nut and a flangethat extends radially outward with respect to the outer surface, whereinthe second seal extends from the outer surface to the knuckle carrier.17. The suspension system of claim 10 wherein the knuckle carrier has afirst outer step surface that extends from an end of the first hearingsupport surface that is disposed opposite the first step surface to afirst seal support surface, a second outer step surface that extendsfrom an end of the second bearing support surface that is disposedopposite the second step surface to a second seal support surface, andthe first seal extends from the shoulder to the first seal supportsurface, and the second seal extends from the preload nut to the secondseal support surface.
 13. A suspension system comprising: a knucklecarrier that has a mounting stem; a steering knuckle that is pivotallymounted to the knuckle carrier; an upper control arm that is pivotallymounted to the knuckle carrier along a first upper control arm pivotaxis; and a platform that is fixedly disposed on the mounting stem andlocated above the upper control arm, wherein the platform supports anair spring and has an arm that is coupled to a stabilizer barsubassembly.
 14. The suspension system of claim 13 wherein the armextends along an arm axis and the arm axis is substantially parallel tothe first upper control arm pivot axis.
 15. The suspension system ofclaim 14 wherein the arm extends in a rearward longitudinal direction.16. The suspension system of claim 13 wherein the platform has a discportion that engages the air spring and is coupled to the mounting stemand the arm extends tangentially from the disc portion.
 17. Thesuspension system of claim 13 wherein the mounting stem extends awayfrom the steering knuckle.
 18. The suspension system of claim 13 whereinthe stabilizer bar subassembly is disposed above the upper control armand the knuckle carrier.
 19. The suspension system of claim 18 whereinthe stabilizer bar subassembly includes a drop link that extends fromthe arm to a stabilizer bar such that the drop link extends in an upwarddirection that extends away from the upper control arm.
 20. Thesuspension system of claim 13 wherein the knuckle carrier has a upperhole that facilitate mounting of the upper control arm, a lower holethat facilitates mounting of a lower control arm, a shock absorber mountdisposed above the lower hole that has first and second mounting tabsthat extend from opposing first and second sides of the knuckle carrier,respectively, a neck portion disposed above the shock absorber mount,and a connecting web that extends from the upper hole to the shockabsorber mount, wherein the connecting web is offset from a center planeof the knuckle carrier such that the connecting web extends to the firstmounting tab to partially define the first side and does not extend tothe second mounting tab, thereby partially defining a clearance recessbetween the connecting web and the second side.